10 Adorable Small Towns In New York

The Empire State offers everything the world aspires to have, from the Big Apple scene to the best American food delights and nature abounding through lakes and state parks. The shining star of New York City surrounds itself with some real gems, each with an adorable personality. Choose one from this list that knows how to charm and dazzle throughout the year. From pristine fishing village beaches to countryside hamlets and glorious mountain locales, New York calls to unwind like nowhere else in its quaint towns. These small towns are New York's heart and soul, with a truckload of engaging attractions for every member of your gang. Visit the town with everything about Oz, a famous hot springs resort, or the easygoing Skaneateles for a lakeside lifestyle.

Aurora

Aurora, the charming right of passage for a laidback lifestyle in New York, is one of the smallest towns in the state, along the shores of Cayuga Lake. The countryside gem offers a perfectly adorable setting for a getaway, complete with wonderful wineries and lush vineyards. Relax at the breathtaking views to all sides, from the sunkissed banks to the town's Aurora Village-Wells College Historic District with over 50 beautiful old buildings. The small college town fills up with life every new school year, but time slows down here during the summer along Cayuga Lake.

Come to browse for sights under the summer sun or during the lively season as a host to Wells College. Relish every minute of the plentiful charming farm-to-table restaurants for dates and friends' nights, including waterside places for drinks and worldwide cuisine. Take a bike ride around the historic sites and lakeside trails, with a range of classes to choose from after nature ventures, including local pottery, painting, or taste-testing the Wine Trail.

Beacon

Beacon, the beacon of adorable small towns in New York, is everything you dream of on a respite from the city, starting with a telling "Tree City" moniker. Escape right into your own backyard, just off the Mount Beacon Trail, with a refreshing breeze from the Hudson River to cool you down on a panoramic hike. Beacon beckoned arts and culture fans with a concentrated scene like the wonderful 300,000-square-foot Dia Beacon museum with contemporary and modern art.

From hikes through the charming Mt. Beacon Park and Hudson Highlands to strolls along outdoor murals and sculptures, there is also the historical district with buildings like the Madam Brett Homestead and United States Post Office from the 1930s. Enjoy some retail therapy with numerous independent boutiques and give into your guilty pleasures at delicious eateries and a whole range of craft breweries, like the highlights Hudson Valley Brewery and the Industrial Art Brewing Co.

Chittenango

The adorable town with a name meaning "Where waters run North" is a dreamy gateway for the active into the beautiful Chittenango Falls State Park. Birthplace of L. Frank Baum, Chittenango's soul is deeply entrenched in this author's world-famous storybook, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Now, what can be more adorable than a themed getaway to hunt out family pursuits for All Things Oz, starting with the museum named just that?

Visit in time for the popular annual Oz-Stravaganza to see original props and costumes from movies and musicals, along with shopping for rare collectibles, including autographs by Judy Garland. Find something for everyone at the Yellow Brick Road Casino & Sports Book, from slots and table games to bowling, golf, and a wide choice of delectable dining options. Nature and history combine along the Erie Canal with the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, while Nina's Pizza & Italian Restaurant awaits for a pizza and wings night in a favorite local setting.

Cold Spring

This small town, one of the most historic villages in Upstate New York, is old-fashioned and adorable. Take marveling strolls around over 200 beautiful entries from the National Register of Historic Places, impeccably preserved to make you feel part of the late 19th century. Immerse yourself in the lovely historic town appeal along the streets with a rustic vibe and slower-paced lifestyle that makes for a perfect weekend getaway only 50 miles from the bustling Big Apple.

From pretty churches, like Our Lady of Loretto and Saint Mary's in the Highlands, to the Magazzino Italian Art, the postcard-like town does not lack in the natural department either. Find plentiful outdoor opportunities for play, hikes, kayak rides, and camping spots. Step out into nature along the Hudson River for strolls, scenic relaxation, and summertime recreation like fishing and swimming, as well as year-round quintessentially local hotspots for shopping and dining.

Greenport

This town, embodying a coastal paradise on the northern tip of Long Island, makes for an unforgettable city escape from the Big Apple. Enjoy easy access into the charming small town's embrace for strolls that make all worries seep away along country roads, family-friendly farmers' markets, and world-class wineries. Greenport's lovely shoreline hosts wonderful trails for walks, bike rides, and jogging, with a strip of soft, sandy beaches to plop down along the way.

There is something for everyone, from the historic East End Seaport Museum to riding the antique carousel, which has been delighting all ages for over a century. Greenpoint prides itself on aesthetics, with an appealing streetscape of well-kept yards behind the neat house rows and pristine beaches you can even utilize as an ocean escape. Fall in love with this adorable town full of charming historic attractions and come back to find new pop-ups through art galleries and rotating restaurant menus.

Ithaca

The town, with its charming college crowd and all the free space to explore during the emptied summer months, is among the most popular New York vacation locales. Visit imminently for first grabs at fantastic grub and art scenes through some of the state's best restaurants and renovated galleries. The live musical shows keep running throughout the year, along with other tourist attractions like the Cornell Botanic Gardens, calling for romantic strolls.

Venturing out to Ithaca Falls provides picturesque backdrops for a picnic and escapades into the surrounding fresh outdoors. Choose your favorite ways to enjoy nature through seasonal pursuits at the nearby Finger Lakes and Buttermilk Falls State Parks, like woodland hikes for wildlife and famous gorge spotting. The aforementioned dining scene will keep you coming back for more dishes with local and international flavors as well as fabulous farm-to-table cuisine. From tons of art galleries to performance venues and local places to have fun, you will never be bored in the evening either.

Narrowsburg

Narrowsburg, a charming hamlet with an on-point name along the Delaware River banks, is the perfect Catskills escape. Immerse yourself in the small, natural town retreat on one side and Narrowsburg, a small town bursting with personality that makes for one adorable scene. Find sights and pursuits along the cool Main Street with highlights of Maison Bergogne for stocking up on design antique hardware and salvaged lighting.

The outdoors calls out to the active with scenic kayaking and canoeing down river rides and relaxing on a float from Skinner's Falls. Dine at The Heron against the scenic Delaware River backdrop with a complementing menu of agricultural resources in its all-American modern dishes. Visit Laundrette, a local favorite for mouth-watering flatbreads, and see more culture at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance or the popular annual Big Eddy Film Festival.

Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs, a historic vacation destination in Upstate New York for the past two centuries, tries to keep its cool, which makes it simply adorable. The thriving town, since its beginning in 1600, is also home to a renowned horse racing scene, with Saratoga Race Course hosting events since 1863. Moreover, as a destination for the arts, you can enjoy several world-class venues for ballet, opera, and musical performances throughout the year.

Needless to say, the town with something always going on while lacking the tourist trap vibe has an outlet that disperses crowds, namely its nature. Find a wealth of natural springs all over the town to seek healing powers, which vary from spring to spring in Saratoga Springs. Make the spa weekend getaway you've been dreaming of reality and sit back, relax, and soak in the benefits any time of the year. You will be primed for other calming on-town pursuits like a range of dining options, live music venues, galleries, and museums.

Skaneateles

The easygoing town of Skaneateles on the namesake Lake is a destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and boating enthusiasts alike. From scenic foliage to heavily weighted branches under the snow and lush greenery under the sunny skies, the picturesque waterfront town never fails to inspire through nature. Take refreshing mid-seasonal hikes with low crowds, or visit in the summer for beach lounging with boats dotting the harbor views. The historic gazebo in the center of the town is a perfect place to gather for memorable summertime concerts.

Perhaps the best time for a foodie's respite is the week-long Charles Dickens Christmas Festival, followed by the time for nature lovers to get jolly after the snow melts with the spring blooms. Visit anytime to fall into a spectacular natural embrace and on-town pursuits like a delightful historic district and the always-scenic waterfront that eventually draws every group. Enjoy views on a stroll, along with the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show, featuring the state's most graceful beauties.

Westfield

Westfield, the embodiment of a classic American town, is adorable from every side, on the edge of Lake Erie. Come for the charming small town pursuits like farmer's markets, art fairs, and shows in the park, and a whole wine culture to discover after. Having begun with the founder of Welch's Grape Juice moving into the area for excellent prospects in grape growing, the heart of the world's largest Concord Grape Belt, Westfield, has mainstreamed wines and vineyards in its tourism industry.

Visit the Grape Discovery Center, taste test at a local winery that doubles as an art gallery, and grab a few fairly priced bottles to share with friends back home. Westfield is the perfect base for hundreds of other recreational pursuits, including golf, fishing, sailing, and water skiing. Immerse yourself in a real cultural experience through outdoor concerts, galleries, and a variety of performing venues, like the incredible summer series, including lectures, visual arts, and shows at the internationally recognized Chautauqua Institution.

Escape the city into a small town full of charm, nature, and local culture for a respite that you never dreamed possible in New York. Boost your energy levels with a hike and grub, and immerse yourself in local culture through downtown venues, shopping, and delicious local bars that feel like you've been hitting up your whole life. Enjoy an easy escape from the city and best access to outdoor ventures, including summertime camping, spring blooms, fall foliage, and skiing during the winter. These ten towns, the most adorable in the Empire State, make a hell of a weekend getaway.